My PROMISE to Mavis

THE COMEDIAN AND LATENIGHT TV PERSONALITY IS DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO CARE FOR HIS BELOVED WIFE

- Lindsay Hoffman

Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno proposed to his wife, Mavis, for a reason that was heartfelt but not particularly romantic. “I had this insurance policy, and I thought if something happened to me, my girlfriend wouldn’t be covered, but if we’re married, we’re covered, so we might as well get married,” Jay said.

In the 43 years since, Jay, 73, has never stopped looking out for Mavis, 77. The comedian, who retired from his late-night TV gig in 2014, recently filed legal documents to become conservator for his wife, who suffers from dementia. “It’s a good thing he’s doing it now,” says LA-based psychiatrist Dr. Todd Hill, who does not treat Jay or Mavis. “He wants to not only be able to direct her care while he is still alive, but if something happens to him, he wants to make sure somebody he trusts will take over.”